If you’re wondering what age do kids lose teeth, you’re asking a question every parent wants answered. Most children start losing their baby teeth around age 6, though the process typically begins anywhere between ages 5 and 7. Understanding what age kids lose teeth helps parents know what to expect and recognize when something might need a dentist’s attention. This natural milestone marks an exciting transition from babyhood to childhood, and knowing the timeline can ease both parent and child anxiety.
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth or milk teeth, serve important purposes before making way for permanent teeth. They help children chew food properly, develop clear speech, and hold space in the jaw for adult teeth to grow correctly. Let’s explore everything you need to know about this important developmental stage.
The Baby Tooth Timeline: From First Tooth to Last
Understanding the complete baby tooth journey helps put tooth loss into perspective. Here’s what happens from the beginning.
When Baby Teeth Come In
Most babies get their first tooth between 6 and 10 months old, though some start as early as 3 months and others as late as 12 months. By age 3, most children have all 20 baby teeth. These teeth typically appear in a predictable order, starting with the bottom front teeth and working backward.
The baby teeth timeline looks like this: lower central incisors first, then upper central incisors, followed by lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally second molars. This same basic pattern reverses when teeth start falling out years later.
When Baby Teeth Start Getting Loose
Around age 5 or 6, permanent teeth developing beneath the gums start pushing upward. This process gradually dissolves the roots of baby teeth, causing them to become loose. The tooth wobbles for days or weeks before finally falling out, making room for the permanent tooth underneath.
This process happens systematically over several years. Children don’t lose all their baby teeth at once, which would make eating rather difficult. Instead, they lose them gradually, usually a few teeth per year between ages 6 and 12.
What Age Do Kids Lose Their First Tooth?
The average age for losing the first baby tooth is 6 years old, though normal variation means some children lose their first tooth at 5 and others at 7. Girls often lose teeth slightly earlier than boys, though this isn’t a hard rule.
The first teeth to fall out are typically the same ones that came in first: the bottom central incisors (the two bottom front teeth). Shortly after, the top central incisors usually fall out. Many children lose their first tooth within a few months of their sixth birthday, making kindergarten or first grade a time of gappy smiles in classrooms everywhere.
If your child loses a tooth before age 4 or hasn’t lost any teeth by age 8, it’s worth mentioning to your dentist. These situations aren’t necessarily problems, but they warrant a professional evaluation to ensure everything is developing normally.
The Order Kids Lose Their Baby Teeth
Just as baby teeth came in following a pattern, they fall out in a predictable sequence. Understanding this order helps parents know what to expect.
Ages 6-7: Front Teeth
The bottom two front teeth (lower central incisors) usually fall out first, followed closely by the top two front teeth (upper central incisors). This creates the classic “toothless” smile many parents find adorable. Next, the teeth on either side of the front teeth (lateral incisors) typically fall out, both top and bottom.
Ages 9-11: Canines and Molars
After a brief pause, tooth loss picks up again around age 9 or 10. The first molars (the larger teeth toward the back) usually fall out during this period. Around the same time or slightly later, the pointed canine teeth (sometimes called eye teeth) become loose and fall out.
Ages 10-12: Final Baby Teeth
The last baby teeth to fall out are the second molars, the large teeth all the way in the back of the mouth. Most children lose these final baby teeth between ages 10 and 12, though some hang onto them until age 13.
By approximately age 12 or 13, most children have lost all 20 baby teeth and have most or all of their permanent teeth. The exception is wisdom teeth, which don’t typically emerge until late teens or early twenties.
Factors That Affect When Kids Lose Teeth
While the average timeline is helpful, every child is unique. Several factors influence exactly when your child will lose teeth.
Genetics
When you lost your baby teeth significantly influences when your children will lose theirs. If you lost your teeth early, your child probably will too. If you were a late bloomer, your child might follow the same pattern. Ask your parents and your partner’s parents about their tooth loss timeline—this family history provides clues about what to expect.
Gender
Research shows girls typically lose baby teeth a few months earlier than boys. This aligns with the general pattern that girls often hit developmental milestones slightly ahead of boys, though there’s significant overlap and individual variation.
Nutrition
Good nutrition, particularly adequate calcium and vitamin D, supports healthy tooth and bone development. While nutrition won’t drastically change when teeth fall out, chronic malnutrition can affect dental development timelines.
When Baby Teeth Came In
Children who got their baby teeth early often lose them early, and late teethers often lose teeth later. If your child didn’t get their first tooth until 12 or 14 months, they might not lose teeth until age 7 or later. Conversely, early teethers often lose teeth young.
Dental Trauma
If a baby tooth gets knocked out prematurely due to an accident or injury, it obviously comes out earlier than nature intended. This can sometimes affect how permanent teeth come in, so always consult your dentist if your child loses a tooth due to trauma.
Signs Your Child Is About to Lose a Tooth
Before a tooth falls out, you’ll notice several telltale signs. Recognizing these helps prepare your child for what’s coming.
The Tooth Becomes Loose
The most obvious sign is that the tooth starts wiggling. Your child might notice it while eating or brushing teeth. At first, it might only move slightly, but over days or weeks, it will become increasingly loose.
Gum Changes
The gums around the loose tooth might look slightly red or swollen. You might also notice the gum pulling away from the tooth slightly as the root dissolves beneath.
Discomfort While Eating
Your child might complain that it hurts to chew on one side of their mouth or to bite into hard foods like apples. They might naturally start favoring the other side of their mouth when eating.
Increased Tooth Wiggling
Many children can’t resist wiggling loose teeth with their tongue or fingers. If you notice your child constantly fiddling with a tooth, it’s probably quite loose. While you shouldn’t forcefully pull out teeth, gentle wiggling is harmless and actually helps the natural process.
Visible Permanent Tooth
Sometimes you can see the permanent tooth starting to emerge behind or beside the baby tooth before the baby tooth falls out. This is more common with lower front teeth and usually resolves itself as the baby tooth falls out and the permanent tooth shifts into proper position.
How to Help Your Child Through Losing Teeth
Losing teeth can be exciting, scary, or both for children. Here’s how to make the experience positive and manage any problems that arise.
Prepare Them in Advance
Talk to your child about losing teeth before it happens. Read books about the Tooth Fairy or losing teeth. Explain that it’s a normal, healthy part of growing up and that everyone goes through it. When they understand what’s coming, they’ll feel less anxious when teeth start wiggling.
Make It Fun
Many families have Tooth Fairy traditions that make losing teeth exciting rather than frightening. Whether you leave money, small gifts, or special notes, creating positive associations helps children look forward to losing teeth.
Don’t Force It
Never forcibly pull out a tooth that’s not ready. The tooth will fall out when it’s time. Pulling it prematurely can cause pain, bleeding, and even damage to the permanent tooth underneath. Let nature take its course.
Encourage Gentle Wiggling
If your child wants to wiggle the loose tooth with clean fingers or their tongue, that’s fine. This gentle movement can help the tooth come out when it’s ready. Just make sure hands are clean to avoid introducing bacteria.
Manage Pain and Discomfort
Most children experience little to no pain when losing teeth, but some feel discomfort. If your child complains of pain, give them appropriate doses of children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Cold foods like popsicles can also soothe sore gums.
Handle the Moment It Falls Out
When the tooth finally comes out, there will likely be some bleeding. Have your child bite down gently on clean gauze or a damp washcloth for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. Don’t let them rinse their mouth vigorously, as this can dislodge the blood clot that’s forming.
What to Do If Your Child Swallows the Tooth
Many children accidentally swallow their baby tooth, especially if it falls out while eating. Don’t worry—this is completely harmless. The tooth will pass through their digestive system without causing problems. You might need to get creative about the Tooth Fairy’s visit without the physical tooth, perhaps leaving a special note.
When to Worry: Signs Something Might Be Wrong
While there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to losing teeth, certain situations warrant a call to your dentist.
Losing Teeth Very Early
If your child loses teeth before age 4, especially if there was no trauma or injury, consult your dentist. Very early tooth loss can sometimes indicate underlying dental or health issues that need addressing.
Not Losing Any Teeth by Age 8
If your child reaches age 8 without losing a single tooth, schedule a dental checkup. Sometimes permanent teeth are simply delayed, but occasionally there are issues like missing tooth buds or teeth that are fused together.
Severe Pain
While some discomfort is normal, severe pain when a tooth is loose or falls out isn’t typical. Significant pain might indicate infection or other problems requiring dental attention.
Signs of Infection
If you notice severe swelling, pus, fever, or bad breath accompanying a loose tooth, these could be signs of infection. See your dentist promptly.
Permanent Tooth Coming in Behind Baby Tooth
Sometimes permanent teeth emerge behind baby teeth that haven’t fallen out yet, creating a “shark tooth” appearance with two rows of teeth. This happens most commonly with lower front teeth. Usually, the baby tooth will fall out on its own within a few weeks, and the permanent tooth will move forward into proper position. However, if the baby tooth remains firmly in place for more than two to three months while the permanent tooth grows in, your dentist might need to extract the baby tooth.
Tooth Knocked Out by Injury
If a baby tooth gets knocked out by trauma, see your dentist even though baby teeth aren’t replanted like permanent teeth might be. The dentist needs to check for damage to the jaw or the permanent tooth developing underneath.
Severe Bleeding That Won’t Stop
A small amount of bleeding is normal when a tooth falls out, and it should stop within a few minutes with gentle pressure. If bleeding continues for more than 10-15 minutes despite pressure, call your dentist.
Caring for Your Child’s Mouth During the Tooth Loss Years
The years when children are losing baby teeth and gaining permanent teeth require special dental care attention.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Even though baby teeth are temporary, they still need proper care. Cavities in baby teeth can affect the permanent teeth underneath. Continue having your child brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily, being gentle around loose teeth.
Adjust for Loose and Missing Teeth
When teeth are very loose or gaps exist from recently lost teeth, brushing and flossing need special care. Brush gently around loose teeth, and use extra caution flossing near them. For gaps where teeth have fallen out, gently brush the gum area to keep it clean.
Address Food Challenges
Children with multiple missing teeth might struggle with certain foods. Cut food into smaller pieces, offer softer options during heavy tooth loss periods, and be patient. Their ability to chew efficiently will return as permanent teeth grow in.
Regular Dental Checkups
Continue taking your child to the dentist every six months during the tooth loss years. Your dentist monitors how teeth are falling out and coming in, catches any problems early, and can reassure both you and your child that everything is progressing normally.
Consider Sealants
As permanent molars come in, ask your dentist about sealants. These protective coatings on the chewing surfaces of back teeth help prevent cavities. Since these permanent molars need to last a lifetime, protecting them early is wise.
Watch for Crowding
As permanent teeth come in, pay attention to whether they seem crowded or crooked. Permanent teeth are larger than baby teeth, sometimes creating spacing issues. Your dentist will monitor this and refer you to an orthodontist if needed.
What Comes After Baby Teeth: The Permanent Teeth Timeline
Understanding what happens after baby teeth fall out helps you support your child through the complete transition.
Ages 6-7: First Permanent Molars and Front Teeth
Even before baby teeth start falling out, permanent first molars (sometimes called six-year molars) emerge behind the baby teeth around age 6. These are permanent teeth that don’t replace baby teeth—they simply add to the teeth your child has. Around the same time, permanent front teeth begin replacing baby front teeth.
Ages 7-8: More Front Teeth
The permanent incisors (front teeth) continue coming in. You’ll notice these permanent teeth are noticeably larger than the baby teeth they replace, sometimes looking almost too big for your child’s face. Don’t worry—they’ll grow into them.
Ages 9-12: Premolars and Canines
Permanent premolars replace baby molars, and permanent canines replace baby canines. This is often when spacing issues become apparent, and orthodontic consultations might be recommended.
Ages 11-13: Second Permanent Molars and Final Baby Teeth
Second permanent molars emerge behind the first permanent molars around ages 11-13. These are the last of the permanent teeth except for wisdom teeth. The final baby molars fall out during this time.
Ages 17-21: Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth (third molars) typically emerge in late teens or early twenties. Many people don’t have room for these teeth and need them removed, while others never develop wisdom teeth at all.
By age 13 or 14, most children have 28 permanent teeth (all except wisdom teeth). These teeth need to last a lifetime, making good dental care increasingly important as permanent teeth replace baby teeth.
Cultural Traditions Around Losing Teeth
Different cultures have unique traditions and beliefs about losing baby teeth. These customs make the tooth loss experience special and memorable for children around the world.
The Tooth Fairy (United States, United Kingdom, Australia)
In many English-speaking countries, the Tooth Fairy visits children who place lost teeth under their pillow at night. The fairy takes the tooth and leaves money or a small gift. The amount varies by family and region, ranging from a dollar to twenty dollars or more.
Ratoncito Pérez (Spain, Latin America)
In Spanish-speaking countries, a small mouse named Ratoncito Pérez collects children’s teeth from under their pillow and leaves gifts or money. This tradition dates back to the late 1800s.
Throwing Teeth (Various Asian Countries)
In many Asian countries, children throw their teeth rather than placing them under pillows. Lower teeth are thrown onto the roof, and upper teeth are thrown to the ground or under the house. This tradition symbolizes the hope that new teeth will grow straight and strong toward the thrown tooth.
The Tooth Mouse (France)
French children expect La Petite Souris (the little mouse) to take teeth from under their pillow and leave coins. This tradition is similar to the Tooth Fairy but with a mouse instead of a fairy.
Other Traditions
In some cultures, children bury their teeth, feed them to animals, or keep them in special containers. Some families create tooth loss ceremonies or celebrations unique to their heritage or family traditions.
Common Myths About Losing Baby Teeth
Let’s address some misconceptions parents and children often have about losing teeth.
Myth: Pulling Out Loose Teeth Makes Permanent Teeth Come in Faster
Forcibly pulling out baby teeth doesn’t speed up permanent tooth eruption. Permanent teeth come in on their own timeline regardless of when the baby tooth is removed. Let teeth fall out naturally unless a dentist recommends extraction.
Myth: If Baby Teeth Fall Out Early, Permanent Teeth Come In Early
Not necessarily. While there’s often correlation, trauma that causes early baby tooth loss doesn’t make permanent teeth emerge ahead of schedule. The permanent tooth will come in when it’s developmentally ready.
Myth: All Children Lose Teeth at the Same Age
Children lose teeth across a wide age range. Losing the first tooth at 5 or at 7 can both be perfectly normal. Significant deviation from the 5-7 age range warrants a dental checkup, but variation within that range is expected.
Myth: Baby Teeth Aren’t Important Because They’re Temporary
Baby teeth serve crucial functions. They help children eat and speak properly, and they hold space for permanent teeth. Neglecting baby teeth can lead to problems with permanent teeth and overall oral health.
Myth: You Can Tell Exactly When a Child Will Lose Each Tooth
While there’s a general order and timeline, predicting exactly when individual teeth will fall out is impossible. Each child follows their own unique timeline within the normal range.
Making Tooth Loss a Positive Experience
Losing teeth is a major childhood milestone. Here’s how to make it positive and memorable.
Create Special Traditions
Whether you follow the Tooth Fairy tradition or create your own family custom, special rituals make tooth loss exciting. Some families take photos of each lost tooth and create albums documenting the process.
Address Fears
Some children fear losing teeth. They might worry about pain, blood, or the change in their appearance. Address these fears with honest, age-appropriate information. Explain that most children feel little to no pain and that new, strong teeth are growing in to replace the baby teeth.
Celebrate the Growing Up Process
Frame tooth loss as a positive sign that your child is growing bigger and stronger. Connect it to other exciting aspects of getting older. This helps children feel proud rather than anxious about losing teeth.
Keep a Tooth Loss Chart
Create a chart showing which teeth have fallen out and when. Children enjoy tracking their progress and anticipating which tooth might be next. This also gives you a record to share with your dentist.
Make Dental Care Fun
Use the excitement around losing teeth to reinforce good dental hygiene habits. Explain that taking care of permanent teeth is extra important because these teeth need to last their whole life.
The Bottom Line on When Kids Lose Teeth
Most children lose their first tooth around age 6, with the tooth loss process continuing until age 12 or 13. The bottom front teeth usually fall out first, followed by top front teeth, and eventually all baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth.
Wide variation in timing is completely normal. Some children start losing teeth at 5, others at 7. Some finish losing baby teeth by 11, others not until 13. Genetics, gender, and when baby teeth came in all influence the timeline.
The tooth loss process is usually painless and exciting for children, especially when families create positive traditions around it. However, losing teeth very early (before age 4), very late (no teeth lost by age 8), or with concerning symptoms like severe pain or infection warrants a dental visit.
By understanding what to expect, you can support your child through this important developmental milestone with confidence. Those gap-toothed smiles might make eating apples challenging for a while, but they’re also adorable reminders that your little one is growing up.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it normal for my 5-year-old to lose a tooth? Yes, it’s within the normal range. While 6 is the average age for losing the first tooth, losing teeth between ages 5 and 7 is completely normal. If your child loses teeth before age 4, mention it to your dentist.
2. What if my 7-year-old hasn’t lost any teeth yet? Some children don’t lose their first tooth until age 7 or even early age 8, especially if they got their baby teeth late. If your child reaches age 8 without losing any teeth, schedule a dental checkup to ensure development is progressing normally.
3. Should I pull out my child’s loose tooth? No, let it fall out naturally. Forcing a tooth out prematurely can cause unnecessary pain, bleeding, and potentially damage the permanent tooth underneath. The tooth will fall out when it’s ready, usually within a few weeks of becoming noticeably loose.
4. How long does it take for a permanent tooth to come in after a baby tooth falls out? Permanent teeth typically emerge within one to six months after the baby tooth falls out. Sometimes you’ll see the permanent tooth peeking through the gums within days, other times it takes several months. If more than six months pass with no sign of the permanent tooth, consult your dentist.
5. Is bleeding normal when a tooth falls out? Yes, some bleeding is completely normal and expected. Have your child bite down gently on clean gauze or a damp cloth for a few minutes. The bleeding should stop within 5-10 minutes. If it continues beyond 15 minutes, contact your dentist.
6. What if the permanent tooth is growing in crooked or behind the baby tooth? This is fairly common, especially with lower front teeth. Usually, once the baby tooth falls out, the permanent tooth gradually moves into proper position. If the baby tooth remains firmly in place for several months while the permanent tooth grows in behind it, your dentist might need to extract the baby tooth. Mention any concerns at your child’s regular dental checkup.
7. Can teething cause fever or illness when baby teeth fall out? No, losing baby teeth doesn’t cause fever or illness. While getting baby teeth in infancy can cause low-grade fever and discomfort, losing those teeth years later shouldn’t cause systemic symptoms. If your child has a fever when losing a tooth, it’s likely coincidental, but watch for signs of infection around the tooth.
8. Do kids lose teeth in the same order they came in? Generally, yes. Teeth usually fall out in roughly the same sequence they emerged. The bottom front teeth that came in first are typically the first to fall out, followed by top front teeth, and so on. However, there can be some variation.
9. What should I do if my child swallows their tooth? Don’t worry—swallowing a baby tooth is completely harmless. It will pass through the digestive system without causing any problems. You might need to explain to your child that the Tooth Fairy still knows the tooth came out, even without the physical tooth to leave under the pillow.
10. How much should the Tooth Fairy leave? There’s no right answer—it depends on your family’s values and budget. Some families leave $1, others leave $5 or $10, and some leave as much as $20. Consider what you’re comfortable with and remember you’ll be doing this about 20 times over several years. The Tooth Fairy might also leave special gifts or notes instead of or in addition to money. Choose what works for your family without worrying about what others do.
